John Bear is Away

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Rich Douglas, Jan 30, 2020.

Loading...
  1. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Folks:

    I just wanted to update the community on John Bear. He's ailing from a confluence of things, so he's out-of-pocket for awhile. He's expecting to recover, but it's a slog. I don't know if he's reading this board, or how long it will be until he returns. In the meantime, please keep him in your thoughts.

    John influenced my life heavily twice, both involving Union. The first time was when I was forming my committee. I needed two "adjuct" advisors from outside Union. Because I'd read John's books--he was the inspiration for me wanting to study nontraditional higher education--I wrote him, almost apologetically. I told him I knew he wouldn't be able to do it, but perhaps he could recommend someone. He wrote back right away, agreeing to do it. He said no one had ever asked him--like Miss America washing her hair on Saturday night because no one asked her out, assuming she was busy!

    The second time was my return to Union. I had dropped my program because of several personal and professional issues, including my military duties. Having given up hope to return to Union, John asked if I wouldn't mind if he contacted Union's president at the time--whom he didn't know. She reached right out to me, inviting me to return and assuring me I'd be able to work out whatever financials were necessary. I graduated a year later.

    Thank you, John Bear. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your inspiration and insight. But most of all, thank you for your friendship.

    Get well soon!
     
    chrisjm18, JBjunior and SteveFoerster like this.
  2. Vonnegut

    Vonnegut Well-Known Member

    Sending thoughts and prayers, heal up John!
     
    SteveFoerster likes this.
  3. sideman

    sideman Well Known Member

    No question, the man is an icon in distance learning. I found Bears Guides in 1983 and it really opened my eyes. It was a radical way of thinking at the time. Had I not have stumbled on John Bear then I surely would have been stuck in the old school bricks and mortar, night school, take forever mode of higher education. So the man has made a major impact on my life as he has countless others.

    So I thank you too Dr. Bear. I wish you good health and a return to help steer this ship that needs righting from time to time.
     
    SteveFoerster likes this.
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I certainly wish John has a speedy recovery. He's a genuinely nice person and we're better off when he's around.
     
    Helpful2013, ITJD and SteveFoerster like this.
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I can't remember anything he's ever said here that wasn't valuable or at least interesting, and it's amazing to think of how many people's lives were better because of his work. I hope he's back as soon as possible!
     
    ITJD and Tireman 44444 like this.
  6. tadj

    tadj Active Member

    I hope that you'll nicely recover and come back here, Dr. Bear. :)
     
  7. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Nice to have an update, but I have to admit that this almost reads like a "pre-obituary."
    I assume that the president at the time was Judith Sturnick, who succeeded Robert Conley (who literally died at his desk from a heart attack). If so, this is the first nice thing I ever heard about Sturnick, who was universally thought of as a walking disaster. Sturnick, who was out of the closet, was thought of in a manner similar to Clarence Thomas. It's nice to have a black Supreme Court justice, people said, but Thomas is the wrong black justice. Likewise, it was nice to see a lesbian as the head henchperson of Union - but Sturnick was the wrong lesbian. Fortunately, she didn't last very long, but the great Union disaster with OBR and the debacle with Vermont College happened on her watch.
    I add a ditto to all of the above with one more - thank you for the bagels (John will know what that means). :)
     
  8. wmcdonald

    wmcdonald Member

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery, John. I look forward to your return here.
     
  9. Helpful2013

    Helpful2013 Active Member

    Indeed. I so loved those Bear’s Guides, wonderful information presented well, especially the humorous archaic pictures re-captioned by Bear. Get well soon!
     
  10. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    I hope John has a speedy recovery!

    Since we're all getting nostalgic, I recall the first time I picked up one of his books. I had heard of, for the first time and years after it closed, Columbia Pacific when a local community college professor's resume time bomb went ka-boom largely because he was also pretending to be a Navy SEAL and an Army Green Beret. It was the start of my interest in matters of accreditation and non-traditional degree wrangling.

    Edit: Ha, I don't know why I was surprised that the event was discussed briefly here...
    https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/fatal-time-bomb.7392/
     
  11. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    I owe him a good deal.
     
  12. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Speedy recovery, John.
     
  13. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    All the best wishes and a speedy recovery!
     
  14. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Please come back soon and fit John - I owe my DL journey to you.
     
  15. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    All the best, John. May my admiration, good wishes for your health and my sincere friendship go with you.
     
  16. Vonnegut

    Vonnegut Well-Known Member

    Any updates?
     
  17. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    Please get well Dr. Bear
     
  18. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    John is actively recovering, but it's a slog.
     
    SteveFoerster and Vonnegut like this.
  19. newsongs

    newsongs Active Member

    I also benefited from John and his guides and guidance through the years. Wouldn't be where I am without him. God speed!
     
  20. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    I have a digital autograph for John, in the form of a letter he graciously wrote in support of my friend who had that issue with DEAC degree in Canada. He's the true expert, and truer gentleman. Speedy recovery!
     

Share This Page